Social Safety Net Programs (SSNPs) in Improving Quality of Life of Older Poor People in Rural Bangladesh: Old-Aged Allowances (OAA) Program Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65826/JSAI.1.1.2026.55Keywords:
Social safety net, Old age allowance program, Quality of life, Rural BangladeshAbstract
This study examines the effects of the ‘old age allowance program’ as a social safety net initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable elderly individuals in rural Bangladesh, focusing on their basic needs (e.g., food, health, and clothing) and self-esteem and dignity. It is a mixed-methods research, which has assimilated the primary and secondary data, and endeavoured to draw a picture of the program beneficiaries in a union. Data were derived from program beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries who want to benefit from the program, key important persons related to the program, and the masses of the union. Data has been collected through surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions (FGD) with the respondents by using questionnaires and FGD schedules. The findings show that the OAA program allowances have a positive effect on fulfilling the basic needs (e.g., food, clothes, medicine) of the ‘elderly beneficiaries’ of the program, and as a result, their status in the family and society has been enhanced. However, irregularities and weaknesses, e.g., corruption, nepotism, voting politics, and irregularities in enrolment, are creating obstacles to implementing the program and enhancing the quality of life of poor elderly people in rural areas. The findings encourage to depiction of some recommendations which will give support to individuals related to this field
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